Apparatus for and method of producing graphics contents and computer-readable recording medium storing computer program for executing the method

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of producing graphics contents and a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for executing the method are provided. The apparatus produces graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce. The apparatus includes: a model database storing a plurality of models that can match a predetermined query item and shape descriptors of the models; a model-retrieving unit comparing a shape descriptor extracted from a given query item with the shape descriptors of the models stored in the model database and outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity for user selection; and a model-refining unit refining the selected model according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model. Therefore, three-dimensional graphics contents can be produced quickly and accurately.

1 . An apparatus for producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the apparatus comprising: 
 a model database storing a plurality of models that can match a predetermined query item and shape descriptors of the models;    a model-retrieving unit comparing a shape descriptor extracted from a given query item with the shape descriptors of the models stored in the model database and outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity for user selection; and    a model-refining unit refining the user-selected model according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model,    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the apparatus comprising: 
 a model database storing a plurality of models that can match a predetermined query item and shape descriptors of the models;    a model-retrieving unit comparing a shape descriptor extracted from a given query item with the shape descriptors of the class models stored in the model database and outputting one or more class models within a predetermined degree of similarity for user selection; and    a model-deformation unit deforming properties of the user-selected class model and according the properties of the user-selected class model and properties of the given query item,    wherein the class model is a category representation corresponding to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the class model are determined as variable, and    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a model-refining unit refining the class models having deformed properties according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a query-generating unit generating a query composed of one or more the query items, wherein the model-retrieving unit receives the query generated by the query-generating unit, compares a shape descriptor extracted from the received query with the shape descriptors of the models stored in the model database, and outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a query-generating unit generating a query composed of one or more the query items, wherein the model-retrieving unit receives the query generated by the query-generating unit, compares a shape descriptor extracted from the received query with the shape descriptors of the class models stored in the model database, and outputting one or more class models within a predetermined degree of similarity.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the model-retrieving unit comprises: 
 a shape descriptor-extracting unit extracting the shape descriptor from the given query item;    a shape descriptor-comparing unit comparing the shape descriptor of the models stored in the model database with the extracted shape descriptor; and    a model output unit outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the model-retrieving unit comprises: 
 a shape descriptor-extracting unit receiving the generated query and extracting the shape descriptor from the received query;    a shape descriptor-comparing unit comparing the shape descriptor of the models stored in the model database with the extracted shape descriptor; and    a model output unit outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the model-retrieving unit further comprises a model-selecting unit receiving a selection of a model among the outputted models by the user, and the model output unit outputs a plurality of models.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the model-retrieving unit further comprises a retrieval feedback unit adding the outputted models as the query items.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the models stored in the model database comprise instance models and class models, the instance models are representative models belonging to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the instance models are determined as invariables, and the class models are category representations corresponding to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the class models are determined as variables.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the model-refining unit further comprises a refining feedback unit adding the one or more refined models as the query items.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the model-refining unit further comprises a refined model-adding unit adding the one or more refined models to the model database.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the query-generating unit comprises: 
 a node-generating unit generating a plurality of nodes respectively    corresponding to parts of a shape of the graphics contents that the user desires to produce, having properties of the parts, and having a plurality of three-dimensional shapes; and    a three-dimensional structural sketch-generating unit disposing the nodes according to the properties of the nodes.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the model database stores three-dimensional models.  
   
   
       15 . A method of producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the method comprising: 
 generating a query composed of one or more query items;    receiving the query and retrieving one or more models, which can have shape descriptors within a predetermined degree of similarity with a shape descriptor extracted from the received query, from a plurality of models which can match a predetermined query item for user-selection; and    refining the selected model according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model,    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       16 . A method of producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the method comprising: 
 generating a query composed of one or more query items;    receiving the query and retrieving one or more class models, which can have shape descriptors within a predetermined degree of similarity with a shape descriptor extracted from the received query, from a plurality of models which can match a predetermined query item for user selection; and    deforming properties of the selected class model and according the properties of the selected class mode and properties of the received query,    wherein the class model is a category representation corresponding to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the model is determined as a variable, and the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising refining the selected model having deformed properties according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models comprise: 
 receiving the query and extracting the shape descriptor from the received query;    comparing the shape descriptors of the models stored with the extracted shape descriptor; and    outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models further comprise receiving a selection of a model among the outputted models by the user, and in the outputting of one or more models, a plurality of models are outputted.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models further comprise adding the outputted models as the query items and generating the query.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the refining of the selected model and the generating of the user-intended model further comprise adding the one or more refined models as the query items and generating the query.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the refining of the selected model and the generating of the user-intended model further comprise adding the refined one or more models and shape descriptors of the refined one or more models to the models stored and the shape descriptors of the stored models and generating the query.  
   
   
       23 . At least one computer-readable medium storing instructions that control at least one processor to perform a method of producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the method comprising: 
 generating a query composed of one or more query items;    receiving the query and retrieving one or more models for user selection, which can match have shape descriptors within a predetermined degree of similarity with a shape descriptor extracted from the received query, from a plurality of models which can match a predetermined query item; and    refining the selected model according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model,    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       24 . At least one computer-readable medium storing instructions that control at least one processor to perform a method of producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the method comprising: 
 generating a query composed of one or more query items;    receiving the query and retrieving one or more models for user selection, which can have shape descriptors within a predetermined degree of similarity with a shape descriptor extracted from the received query, from a plurality of models which can match a predetermined query item; and    deforming properties of the selected model and according the properties of the selected model and properties of the received query,    wherein the model is a category representation corresponding to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the model is determined as a variable, and the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the model-retrieving unit comprises: 
 a shape descriptor-extracting unit extracting the shape descriptor from the given query item;    a shape descriptor-comparing unit comparing the shape descriptor of the models stored in the model database with the extracted shape descriptor; and    a model output unit outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the model-retrieving unit further comprises a model-selecting unit receiving a selection of a model among the outputted models by the user, and the model output unit outputs a plurality of models.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the model-retrieving unit further comprises a retrieval feedback unit adding the outputted models as the query items.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the model-retrieving unit comprises: 
 a shape descriptor-extracting unit receiving the generated query and extracting the shape descriptor from the received query;    a shape descriptor-comparing unit comparing the shape descriptor of the models stored in the model database with the extracted shape descriptor; and    a model output unit outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the model-refining unit further comprises a refining feedback unit adding the one or more refined models as the query items.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the model-refining unit further comprises a refined model-adding unit adding the one or more refined models to the model database.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the model database stores three-dimensional models.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models comprise: 
 receiving the query and extracting the shape descriptor from the received query;    comparing the shape descriptors of the models stored with the extracted shape descriptor; and    outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity based on the result of the comparison.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models further comprise receiving a selection of a model among the outputted models by the user, and in the outputting of one or more models, a plurality of models are outputted.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the receiving of the query and the retrieving of the one or more models further comprise adding the outputted models as the query items and generating the query.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the refining of the selected model and the generating of the user-intended model further comprise adding the refined one or more models and shape descriptors of the refined one or more models to the models stored and the shape descriptors of the stored models and generating the query.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the refining of the selected model and the generating of the user-intended model further comprise adding the refined one or more models and shape descriptors of the refined one or more models to the models stored and the shape descriptors of the stored models and generating the query.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus for producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the apparatus comprising: 
 a model-retrieving unit comparing a shape descriptor extracted from a given query item with shape descriptors of models stored in a model database and outputting one or more models within a predetermined degree of similarity for user selection; and    a model-refining unit refining a user-selected model according to an instruction from the user and generating a user-intended model,    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.    
   
   
       38 . An apparatus for producing graphics contents using a query item, which is a query object indicating graphics contents that a user desires to produce, the apparatus comprising: 
 a model-retrieving unit comparing a shape descriptor extracted from a given query item with shape descriptors of class models stored in a model database and outputting one or more class models within a predetermined degree of similarity for user selection; and    a model-deformation unit deforming properties of a user-selected class model and according properties of the user-selected class model and properties of the given query item,    wherein the class model is a category representation corresponding to each kind of graphics contents and properties of the class model are determined as a variable, and    wherein the shape descriptor describes a shape based on properties including geometric and topologic properties.